When it comes to golf, Lindsey Reeves has come a long way in a short time.The Waltonville High School didn't take up the sport until her freshman year but since then has been a IHSA sectional qualifier three times and recently signed a letter of intent to play for Kaskaskia College.

"All my family plays golf and my brother has helped me a lot," said Reeves, the daughter of Tyler and Melissa Reeves. "I felt it [golf] came naturally to me."

"I got a chance to see Lindsey play in the regional last year and was very impressed with her swing and approach to the game," said Kaskaskia coach Jay Garrett, whose squad has been an All-Academic team selection by the National Junior College Athletic Association. "She also a very good student and that's something we emphasize at Kaskaskia."

While Reeves' results on the course speak for themselves, she also made her mark in other ways, according to WHS golf coach Allen Haley.

"Kaskaskia's not only getting a good golfer, but a good person," he said. "Lindsey's a hard worker, she's steady, dependable and comes from a good family. Her best golf is yet to come."

Reeves plans to major in business related to agriculture.

"Coming from a small school I think Kaskaskia is good for me because they focus on education and I really want to be focused on that along with golf," she said. "I do plan to play a lot [of golf over the spring and summer] and hopefully get out on the course as much as I can."

"I think Lindsey will be ready to go from day one," said Garrett, who still has a few more roster spots to fill for next season. "Southern Illinois produces a lot of really good golfers and it's great to get someone local. I anticipate that she'll step in and immediately make a positive contribution to the program."

"She's pretty long off the tee now and her short game's good," said Haley. "Lindsey's biggest strength is her mental makeup and toughness.

"She did a lot of work as an individual in playing over the summer, taking lessons and improved tremedously. She set the pace and was our team leader."